Friday's letters to the editor

Community has lost a compassionate thinker

I was so sad to read Abe Schestopol's obit in Wednesday's Democrat. I knew Abe Schestopol as an officer and a gentleman, but so much more. Abe was an elegant man, highly intelligent, scholarly, with a modest bearing. He helped Pax Christi become "more than we were" through his passion for peace. Abe knew war and was not naive regarding the cost of speaking out against the Iraq War, supporting endless tasks promoting peace through dialogues, prayer and actions promoting reconciliation.

Thank you, Abe, for your courageous witness in speaking for what is right in your many articles and letters to the Democrat. Your diverse friendships and affiliations taught us how to live life with joy, zest and openness. All this was done with such graciousness with your wife, Madee, at your side. What an example. Peace be with you.

SHIRLEY POORE

Pax Christi

shirleypoore@comcast.net

Consider skipping meats in the new year

With New Year's resolutions being decided, consider the popular trend toward a healthy, eco-friendly, compassionate meat-free diet.

According to Harris Interactive, 47 percent of American consumers are reducing their consumption of animal products. USDA projects this year's per capita chicken and beef consumption to drop by 8 percent and 17 percent, respectively, from their 2006 peaks. Similar dramatic drops are projected for pigs and turkeys. Milk consumption has fallen by a whopping 40 percent since 1970.

Fast-food chains like Subway and Chipotle are rolling out vegan options. Taco Bell has found that 43 percent of conversations about meat were negative. The Baltimore, Los Angeles, and San Diego school districts, serving more than 1 million meals a day, have adopted Meatless Mondays.

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P.O. Box 990, Tallahassee, FL 32302 or letters@tallahassee.com

Letters should be no more than 200 words, and include your full name, address and telephone number for verification purposes; only names will be published, and email addresses, unless requested otherwise. We may condense letters and edit for grammar and clarity.

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Friday's letters to the editor

I was so sad to read Abe Schestopol's obit in Wednesday's Democrat. I knew Abe Schestopol as an officer and a gentleman, but so much more. Abe was an elegant man, highly intelligent, scholarly, with